A man wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of a Harris County woman died by suicide Tuesday after law enforcement located him inside a Phenix City hotel, authorities said during a joint news conference.
Andrew Roy Harris, 36, was wanted in connection with the death of 35-year-old Nicole Elliott, who was found with a single gunshot wound in the front yard of her home outside Waverly Hall on Monday, August 17.
Additional information in this report was obtained from a video of the joint press conference published by NowGeorgia.com. CNAW2News reporter Mandy Vega also spoke with a witness near the scene Tuesday who provided additional information about Harris’ movements before the law enforcement operation at the hotel.
Elliott killed during domestic dispute
Harris County Sheriff Mike Jolley said 911 received a call shortly after noon Monday reporting an unresponsive woman in the yard of a residence along Georgia Highway 208.
Deputies arrived and found Elliott deceased.
Investigators determined that Elliott had been involved in a domestic disturbance with Harris shortly after 10 a.m. that morning. Sheriff Jolley said investigators believe Harris shot Elliott once in the head before fleeing the area.
Authorities said Elliott and Harris had been in a relationship.
According to Sheriff Jolley, investigators recovered audio from a Ring doorbell camera that captured part of the confrontation.
Elliott had taken her two younger children to school that morning and returned home. Authorities said an argument between Elliott and Harris continued after she returned.
Investigators said the Ring camera captured Elliott yelling, “Don’t do it,” followed by gunfire. Authorities also heard Elliott call Harris by name.
Elliott’s three children were not at the home when the shooting occurred. Her oldest daughter had spent the night with her father, while Elliott had taken her 10-year-old and 8-year-old sons to school before returning home.
Sheriff Jolley said Elliott leaves behind a 15-year-old daughter, a 10-year-old son and an 8-year-old son.
Harris fled to Phenix City
After the shooting, Harris fled to Phenix City, where he lived.
Russell County Sheriff Heath Taylor said his agency worked throughout the night with Harris County investigators after arrest warrants were obtained for Harris.
Authorities received numerous tips about Harris’ possible whereabouts.
At one point, investigators located Harris at another hotel. When Harris saw law enforcement, authorities said he ran from the location, jumped a fence and entered a wooded area.
Investigators continued searching for him throughout the night.
On Tuesday, Phenix City Police received a tip that Harris was staying at the Days Inn on U.S. 431. Investigators from multiple agencies responded to the hotel and confirmed Harris was inside a specific room.
Authorities began clearing people from rooms near Harris’ location because of concerns that he could become dangerous.
Sheriff Taylor said investigators had received information that Harris might attempt to take his own life or provoke officers into a deadly confrontation.
Witness speaks with CNAW2News reporter
CNAW2News reporter Mandy Vega spoke with a witness at a nearby gas station Tuesday following the law enforcement response.
According to information provided to Vega by the witness, a gas station employee said a man believed to be Harris entered the business earlier Tuesday morning and purchased a bag of chips.
The witness said the man then walked back toward the hotel.
Gas station employees later saw two police vehicles in the area and heard two gunshots.
The employees reviewed surveillance footage from the gas station and told Vega that the person seen in the footage appeared to be Harris.
The witness information has not been independently verified by CNAW2News, but it is consistent with the timeline and information provided by authorities during the press conference regarding Harris’ movements in Phenix City.
Single gunshot heard inside hotel room
According to Sheriff Taylor, investigators were in the hallway outside Harris’ room when they heard a single gunshot.
Authorities immediately entered the room and found Harris lying on the bed with a single gunshot wound to the head. Sheriff Taylor said Harris was still holding a 9mm semi-automatic handgun.
Emergency medical personnel responded and Harris was transported to a hospital in Columbus.
He was pronounced deceased at 1:02 p.m. Tuesday, August 18.
Authorities said his death will be presented to the grand jury as a self-inflicted suicide.
Investigators are also working to determine whether the firearm recovered from Harris’ hotel room is the same weapon used in Elliott’s killing. Sheriff Taylor said ballistic testing will be conducted.
Domestic violence history
Sheriff Taylor said Harris had previous domestic violence cases in both Georgia and Alabama.
Authorities said there had been several domestic violence incidents involving Elliott and other women. Sheriff Taylor also said Harris may have been out on bond in connection with a previous domestic violence case.
Sheriff Jolley said Harris had more than three but fewer than six domestic violence cases across multiple states.
Authorities described the deaths of both Elliott and Harris as a tragic outcome.
The investigation into Elliott’s death remains active. Authorities will continue working with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and other agencies, including conducting ballistic testing to determine whether the same firearm was used in both shootings.
CNAW2News will continue following this case and provide updates as additional information becomes available.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCES
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available.
📍 East Alabama — SAFEHOUSE: 334-749-1515
📍 West Georgia — Georgia DV Hotline: 1-800-334-2836
🇺🇸 National DV Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
💬 Text START to 88788
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
You are not alone. Help is available.
